Game On: Kobe-less Lakers @ Hornets

The Lake show take on the Hornets tonight at The Hive, but they’ll be without Kobe Bryant (shin).

With 10 games left in a disappointing year for the Hornets, and Jarrett Jack out for the rest of it with a stress fracture, the Lake show will be looking to take advantage. While it’s easy for Hornets fans to overlook the playoff implications that a game like this could have on the Lakers, they exist nonetheless. It’s always nice to beat LA, but the game means a lot more to them than it does to us this time.

LA is the third seed out West, but suffering their 23rd loss of the season would drop them below the Clippers in the loss category and tie them with Memphis (who currently has three less wins). Yes, the Lakers haven’t yet wrapped up much of anything, which makes this game much more important to them than it is to the Hornets.

With Kobe out, it may appear that this one got a lot easier, but Bynum and Gasol are matchup nightmares for the Hornets, and with LA’s gunner out it’s likely that the bigs will get a ton of touches. At least that’s what should happen. Then again, that’s always what should happen when you have Pau and Bynum…

I tend to think Eric Gordon will play, but’s he’s listed as questionable. His unexpected absence would leave the Hornets with a total of two guards capable of handling point (if you consider Marco Belinelli capable of handling point) and two guards total.

Either way, when Vasquez is on the court with Belinelli, Mike Brown would be smart to press them as much as possible. Even if Ariza is out there as SF instead of Farouq, it’s still going to be relatively tough for the Hornets to advance the ball effectively without Jack or Gordon.

Land O’ Lakers: How much different does the team look without Jarret Jack running the point (if he’s out)? Are sets or the style of play different?

MM: The Hornets run the same offense, but it is Gordon with the ball at the top instead of Jack during crunch time moments. The difference is that Jack was limited to that mid-range jumper coming off the pick and roll, while Gordon has more weapons in his arsenal. He can get off a quick three, hit the mid-range, or take the ball all the way to the hoop, depending on what the defense gives him.

3. Andrew got some good video of Monty and Smith talking about the hit on Landry. Check that out. I’m pretty sure that if that had been Griffin getting hit, there would be a suspension that followed. This is another one of those times when having an owner to speak out would be nice.

4. Take the new poll in the sidebar. It asks which player you’d take at number two if that’s where the draft pick winds up being.

So, I know this is the wrong thread, but I don't care. We've all vented our frustrations about embracing this team in this city, and here is just ONE of mine since I experienced it the other night. I was pumped after a hard days work to watch some Hornets/Timberwolves, as it's one of the few games of the year where the outcome is good either way. I chilled and had a beer for the first quarter, before heading out to meet a friend, get some food, and watch the game. We headed to "Dos Jefes", as the "Taceaux Loceaux" truck was gonna be out front, and their food rules. I got there, and there were two old dudes chilling with cigars, some background 40's music, and some crap on the tv. As the bartender approached I asked if he could turn one of the tv's to the Hornets game. "No." That's it? No? I asked any particular reason? "We don't get that channel?" Really? You don't get that channel? I don't know how much it costs to add a local TV Channel or two to your DirectTV package...but it can't be that much! Plus...it's a local sports franchise!! Maybe get "League Pass" then!!! Anyway...the atmosphere already sucked, so we got our tacos and decided to just drive over to "45 Tchop". This works right? I've watched quite a few games there, they are taco-friendly...have beer and liquor...let's go! Got there...Effing Hockey on EVERY TV! So here I go again..."Can you put ONE of these on the Hornets game?" "No." Really..."Why?" "It's not on tv". "Bullcrap it's not...it's on CST...just like every one of their games...I just watched some of it at home". "We don't get that." "YES YOU DO!" "I've watched many a game here...channel 37, or maybe 1037 for high-def". "Oh...I don't know how to do that. Some tv's are satellite and some local, and I don't know which is which." Alright. So in all fairness, she was new. She did make an attempt to text someone else that works there, and MAYBE he'd get back to her, or show up within an hour. My whole dream of awesome tacos, cold beer, and the game were pretty much dead at this point. I ordered a water, and wolfed my tacos down, and headed home. I cought the 4th quarter, (Surprisingly), but it just wasn't the same. REALLY New Orleans? I mean really? Where's the pride? Even if they suck...you live here right? You know what...forget pride. Where's you're Gdamn business sense?!?! There's like 3-4 games on every week for months! There's no Saints games on anytime soon. Why are you not doing something...anything to capitalize on this? I agree that we all need to do something...get together...promise certain businesses a certain amount of people...or even a certain amount of loyalty to not only put the game on...but put some sound on TOO! I'm open to suggestions...but surely there is something we can do somewhere that is WORTHY. Ok. I'm good now. That's my rant. Thanks for reading.

I feel your pain. Im here in Fayetteville NC stationed at Bragg and no place here have any love for the NEW ORLEANS HORNETS. First, league pass is way too expensive. Then, Im stuck watching the Clippers, Lakers, Heat, Thunder and Bulls all day every day.
Then the people here would rather wear Charolette Hornets apparel and not the Bobcats, where's the loyalty? I cant run around with New Orleans Jazz stuff........That Grinds My Gears.

So you're not considering Henry as a guard? Because he's listed as a guard and mostly played guard minutes before EJ's return. Maybe you forgot about him. Vasquez, Belinelli, Henry - that makes 3 guards. How Could You Forget About Henry!!??